In this heartfelt episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker and his wife, Taylor Decker, sit down with the Bryant family—Bobby II, Ava, Bobby III, and Joseph. As a family new to homeschooling, Chris and Taylor seek wisdom from the Bryants, who have successfully navigated their children's entire education from home. The conversation explores the profound benefits of a faith-centered education, from building a strong Christian foundation to the flexibility that allows children to discover and pursue their unique passions like coding, tennis, and content creation. The Bryants also share the inspiration and collaborative process behind their children's book, "Trust in Timothy," which tackles the modern-day temptation of cheating and underscores the eternal value of integrity and hard work.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Homeschooling Builds a Strong Foundation: The primary motivation for homeschooling can be to provide an education centered on non-negotiable Christian values, ensuring that children learn to see the world through a biblical lens, a foundation often unavailable in public or even private schools.
• Flexibility Fuels Individual Passion: A homeschool environment allows for the flexibility to cater to each child's unique learning style and pace. This freedom gives them the time and space to explore interests deeply, turning hobbies like coding or sports into potential career paths and life skills.
• True Success is Earned, Not Cheated: In an age of instant answers and AI shortcuts, the most valuable success is the one that is earned through hard work and integrity. Doing things the right way, even when it’s harder, builds character and leads to a more rewarding sense of accomplishment.
• Family Collaboration Creates Stronger Bonds: Working on a significant creative project as a family, like writing a book, strengthens relationships. Navigating different opinions and creative styles through discussion and mutual respect fosters a deeper connection and produces a result that reflects the whole family.
• Putting God First Brings Order to Life: When you prioritize seeking God and His Word above all else (Matthew 6:33), everything else falls into place. This principle applies to parenting, education, and life's challenges, as God opens the right doors and provides the wisdom needed for every situation.

QUOTES

• “If Moses can go to Egypt and free a whole civilization of people, like I think I can figure out how to do numbers and letters.”
• “When you work hard for something, it's actually more rewarding than if you do it the quick way... you don't really appreciate it as much.”
• “True success comes when you give your best and you work your hardest, not when it just comes easy to you.”
• “We need to remember to take it slow and remember the Lord will guide us through, and if we're patient, then we'll eventually get to the success that He truly wants.”
• "First, seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything else will be added to you."
• “If you try to do it your way, then it's just gonna fall apart because we're not perfect, but God is perfect and his way is the best way.”

Connect with the Bryant Family:

Learn more about their children's book, "Trust in Timothy", which teaches kids the importance of integrity and making the right choices.

The first 20 listeners to email chris@creatorspark.com will receive a free copy of the book, courtesy of the podcast!

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction: Chris and Taylor Share Their Own Homeschooling Journey
01:45 Welcoming the Bryant Family
03:15 Why We Chose Homeschooling: Building a Christian Foundation
05:30 The Kids' Perspective: Socialization, Flexibility, and Discovering Passions
10:30 Honoring Different Learning Styles
14:10 The Family's Book and the Message of Integrity Over Cheating
17:05 Navigating the Temptation of AI and Easy Answers
20:15 The Rewarding Feeling of Working Hard for Your Success
23:10 The Creative Process: How to Write a Book as a Family
27:45 The Vision for the Future: More Books and Spreading God's Word
32:00 An Offer for Listeners: Get a Free Copy of "Trust in Timothy"
32:30 Final Encouragement: The Power of Putting God First

In this powerful episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker welcomes Steven Dossou, a speaker and coach whose life story is a profound testament to the power of resilience and faith. Steven shares his incredible journey from extreme poverty in Togo, West Africa, to becoming a top business leader in South Africa, only to lose it all and start again. He breaks down the "three demons" of fear, self-doubt, and low self-esteem that hold us back and provides a simple, actionable morning routine to conquer them. This conversation goes beyond motivation, offering a spiritual and practical blueprint for anyone feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or limited, and provides the tools to connect with your Creator and unleash the limitless potential within.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Purpose is Found in Service: The path to discovering your God-given talents and achieving true fulfillment is embedded in serving others. When you use your gifts to improve the lives of others, you activate your own purpose and potential.
• Overcome the Three Inner Demons: The primary internal enemies that prevent growth are fear, self-doubt, and low self-esteem. These can be defeated through intentional practices like autosuggestion (talking to yourself with purpose) and prayer.
• Transformation Requires a Daily Routine: A consistent morning routine that addresses the physical (exercise), mental (positive audio/reading), and spiritual (prayer and stillness) is the ultimate tool for building discipline, confidence, and a victor's mindset.
• You Are the Soil, Your Actions Are the Seeds: Your life is fertile ground. Every positive action, word, and thought is a seed planted within you. By watering these seeds with prayer and consistency, you can cultivate a life of limitless impact, just as one seed holds the potential for a thousand trees.
• Choose to Be a Victor, Not a Victim: Life will present challenges, but your response is your choice. By building a spiritual and mental armor through daily practice, you can shift from a victim mentality to that of a victor who overcomes any obstacle.

QUOTES

• “Everything you do when you put all yourself in it, when you do it well, somebody is always watching.”
• “The torture of being in a place or doing... some works of which you are not fulfilled, that torture is far worse than having... millions of dollars in your bank account.”
• “When you give yourself to others, God... not only gives you more of yourself, but he also shows you the life within.”
• "Those voices, I called them fear, self-doubt, and low self-esteem... and my friend believed that those are the three toughest demons that mankind deal with ever."
• "God should break me away from the mindset of limitations."
• "You can either go to life by being a victim or a victor."

Connect with Steven Dossou:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-dossou-action-man-3623b5106/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction: Learning to Talk to Yourself
01:45 Steven's Background and Journey from Togo
03:20 Growing Up with Humility and Hearing the Voice of "More"
05:15 The 18-Month Journey to South Africa and Hitting Rock Bottom
07:00 A Chance Encounter and the Power of Helping Others
09:30 From Selling Vacuums to Leading a $25 Million Team
11:45 When It All Crashed: Losing Everything and Finding a New Path
14:00 Transformation Begins with Listening to the Voice of Go
15:20 The Difference Between the Creator and the Creation
17:00 Nature's Lesson: Your Purpose is to Serve Others
21:00 The Conflict Between Purpose and Survival (Making Money)
25:10 Why Soul Fulfillment is More Important Than Financial Gain
29:00 For Those Who Have "Made It" But Are Still Seeking: The Answer is Service
32:20 Addressing the Inner Roadblocks: Fear, Self-Doubt, and Low Self-Esteem
36:00 The Practical Power of Autosuggestion
42:30 Steven's Three-Part Morning Routine for Lasting Transformation
51:00 The Soil and Seed: A Powerful Analogy for Personal Growth
57:00 Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Steven

In this episode, Chris and Bernie Youngblood explore the intersection of faith, business, and personal well-being. They begin with a passionate discussion about the importance of love and God's plan in everyday life, critiquing how modern corporate environments have excluded artists who bring innovation. The conversation later moves into the domain of personal health, criticizing big food, pharma, and healthcare systems while promoting natural nutrition and holistic living. Finally, they share personal testimonies and Christian beliefs, encouraging listeners to seek a deeper understanding of faith and have open conversations about it.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Faith-Driven Business Must Value Creativity: The episode argues that modern corporate environments often stifle innovation by excluding "artists" and creative thinkers. A business guided by faith should instead champion these individuals and integrate principles like love and purpose into its core operations.
• Question Mainstream Health Systems: A significant portion of the conversation is a critique of "big food," "big pharma," and conventional healthcare. The speakers advocate for skepticism towards these systems and encourage listeners to take personal responsibility for their health.
• Embrace Natural and Holistic Well-being: As an alternative to mainstream systems, the episode promotes a lifestyle centered on natural nutrition and holistic living. This approach connects physical health directly to one's personal and spiritual life.
• Live Your Faith Openly: The discussion concludes with a call to action for listeners. It encourages them to move beyond a passive understanding of faith by actively sharing personal testimonies and engaging in open, honest conversations about their Christian beliefs.

QUOTES

• “For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son… so that we may have eternal life.”
• “He lived without sin and He knew that when He faced His death on that cross, the Lamb of God that sacrificed, covered all of your sins.”
• “It is finished… means that this control that the enemy has of your life, that need to continue to try and earn your salvation, was done. He paid the price for you. Paid in full.”
• “Love is something you do—without expecting anything in return. Regardless of whether you’re in the mood. Regardless of all the noise and trouble of the world around you.”

Connect with Bernie Youngblood across all platforms:"

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernieyoungblood/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bernie.youngblood.1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bernieyoungblood/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bmyoungblood
X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/YoungbloodBM
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bernieyoungblood

Timecodes

00:00 The Unlimited Supply of Love
01:03 The Role of Faith in Business and Life
03:42 The Importance of Artists in Innovation
22:21 The Impact of Nutrition and Health Systems
30:10 The Journey of Faith and Understanding
33:41 Misquoting the Bible and Intellectual Honesty
34:21 Jesus Christ: The Source Code and Light
34:58 Signals Jammed: The Importance of Stillness
35:33 Personal Testimonies and Miracles
36:24 The Power of Love and Patience
38:28 Science and Faith: A Harmonious Journey
40:25 Health and Spiritual Warfare
43:54 The Dangers of Fluoride and Tap Water
46:04 Hot Logic: A Microwave Alternative
49:07 God's Plan and Human Worthiness
57:17 The Greatest Love Story: Jesus' Sacrifice
01:02:14 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker welcomes Frank Ziede, a seasoned automotive trainer and former actor, to discuss the importance of clarity and consistency in messaging. Frank shares insights from his 22-year career, emphasizing that clarity comes through repeated refinement. They explore topics such as handling imposter syndrome, defining success beyond financial metrics, and the significance of personalization in customer service. Frank also reflects on his journey from an aspiring actor to a renowned trainer and highlights the value of maintaining a servant's heart. The episode touches on the creative process, the impact of leadership, and the necessity of perseverance in honing one's craft.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Clarity Requires Consistent Refinement: Frank Ziede emphasizes that clear messaging is achieved through repetition and ongoing improvement.
• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: The conversation explores how to face self-doubt and stay grounded in one’s purpose.
• Success Is More Than Money: Frank challenges the idea that success is solely financial, encouraging a more holistic view of achievement.
• Personalization Builds Stronger Connections: Tailoring customer service to individual needs makes a lasting impact.
• From Acting to Training - A Unique Journe: Frank shares his transition from aspiring actor to respected automotive trainer, showing how diverse experiences shape expertise.
• Lead with a Servant’s Heart: Humility and service are central to effective leadership and personal fulfillment.
• The Creative Process Takes Perseverance: Crafting excellence—whether in communication or creativity—demands dedication and time.

QUOTES

• "Personalization is not just a customer thing. Personalization is a people thing. It's got the word ‘person’ in there."
• "Leadership is only hard for good leaders."
• "Money is a lag indicator. It’s a non-controllable outcome."
• "You have to find a way to make a living—but don’t give up on that creative muscle."
• "Creativity is a muscle. Talent is innate, but creativity is something you have to practice."
• "Know who you are, be honest with who you are—that is the best path."
• "If a leader hears 'I’m under-skilled for this role' and responds with 'You're fired,' that’s not a leader worth working for."
• Intent and effort—that’s what turns creativity into something refined."

Connect and learn more about Frank Zeide.

Timecodes

00:25 Introduction
01:16 Frank's Journe
02:08 Finding Clarity Through Repetition
06:34 Defining Success and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
10:52 The Universe Unfolds as It Should
14:05 Creating Impactful Content
17:08 David Fincher's Creative Mantra
18:15 The Hidden Effort Behind Great Art
19:10 Collaboration and Respect in Creativity
20:22 Leadership and Creativity
23:44 The Pitfalls of Promoting Top Performers
26:02 Self-Awareness in Career Choices
32:27 The Importance of Creativity and Practice
34:42 Final Thoughts and Appreciation

In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker discusses creative leadership with Vincent Wanga, author of 'The Art of Direction.' The conversation focuses on the importance of soft skills and emotional intelligence in leadership roles, the need for mentors, and the challenges of managing diverse teams. Wanga emphasizes the necessity of preparing for leadership roles by developing empathy, understanding business metrics, and fostering a culture that creates new leaders. He also highlights the delicate balance of innovation and business objectives, and the significance of a servant leadership mindset.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills in Leadership: Effective leadership requires more than technical skills. Soft skills, like empathy and emotional intelligence, are essential for understanding and motivating teams.
• The Importance of Mentorship: Mentors play a crucial role in helping leaders grow, offering guidance, support, and insight based on experience.
• Managing Diverse Teams: Leading teams with different perspectives and backgrounds comes with challenges, but it's also a chance for creative leaders to foster an inclusive and innovative environment.
• Preparing for Leadership Roles: Aspiring leaders should focus on developing emotional intelligence, understanding business metrics, and cultivating a culture that encourages leadership growth.
• Balancing Innovation and Business Objectives: Creative leaders must navigate the fine line between pushing for innovation and aligning with business goals to ensure sustainable success.
• Servant Leadership Mindset: A leader's primary role is to serve their team, providing support, guidance, and resources to enable others to succeed. This mindset encourages collaboration and growth within the organization.

QUOTES

• "It's a complete mindset shift... you really have to learn soft skills, and sometimes you're learning those skills on the job, in a really difficult environment where you're thrown into the fire and have to figure it out."
• "If you don't have a mentor in your life who's actively preparing you for that, you are probably not going to make that transition very effectively because there's no guide for how to do that."
• "You are now a business stakeholder. You have to speak in the language of business... then take that information and translate it back to your team."
• Creativity translates into business outcomes... make sure that you have an eye on their goals and objectives while you're also trying to do great work."

Connect and learn more about Vincent Wanga.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-wanga/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction
01:10 Discussing the New Book: The Art of Direction
02:38 The Path to Creative Leadership
03:43 Balancing Soft Skills and Business Goals
05:15 The Translator Role in Leadership
05:54 The Art vs. Science of Leadership
11:38 Preparing for Leadership
12:17 The Importance of Mentorship
17:05 Leadership is a Calling
23:14 Creating Future Leaders
24:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker delves into the bravery inherent in artistic expression and the intersection of beauty and practicality with guest Brian Burkhart. The discussion highlights the Japanese art movement Mingei, the courage required to put oneself out there as an artist, and the importance of knowing and acting on one's core beliefs. Brian shares insights from his experience as a ceramic artist and corporate coach, emphasizing the concept of the 'zone of genius' and the value of genuine, heartfelt creation over mass production. Listeners will learn about the impact of one's beliefs on actions and how to identify and pursue their own zone of genius.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Artistic Bravery: The conversation highlights the courage required for artistic expression, particularly in sharing one's work with the world.
• Mingei Movement: The Japanese art movement Mingei, which celebrates the beauty of everyday objects and craftsmanship, is discussed as an example of balancing beauty and practicality.
• Zone of Genius: Brian Burkhart emphasizes the importance of identifying and working within one's "zone of genius" – a space where creativity flows naturally and authentically.
• Genuine Creation Over Mass Production: The value of creating with heartfelt intention is stressed, contrasting it with the often impersonal nature of mass production.
• Core Beliefs: The discussion emphasizes how understanding and acting upon your core beliefs can guide your actions and influence the work you create.
• Personal Impact: The episode encourages listeners to reflect on their beliefs, discover their zone of genius, and embrace their true creative potential.

QUOTES

• "I believe in elevating people and I think it's way too easy to send a text. It's way too easy to leave a simple email. I like the action of writing with a pen on a card that goes in the U.S. Mail that someone receives in their mailbox. They feel it a lot more."
• "When you can recognize those patterns, you suddenly now have a game plan, you've got a set of rules that you can easily live by, it becomes way easier to find your path."
• "Going deep, it can really reveal a lot. It can also be a lot. Like call your therapist sometimes it could get real ugly, but life isn't always a bed of roses."
• "I love game tape feedback, being able to watch that go through the uncomfortable process of watching yourself do the thing that you want to be better at and just like study yourself. And it's remarkable how hard and simple that is at the same time."
• "She saw the deeper truth and that was very revealing and it really helped me change how I went into some things."

Connect and learn more about Brian Burkhart.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/briancburkhart?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Timecodes

00:00 The Bravery of Artists
00:25 Introduction to the Creative Potential Podcast
01:40 Exploring the Mingei Movement
02:51 Balancing Art and Practicality in Business
15:17 The Zone of Genius
20:29 Finding Your Core Beliefs
26:06 The Power of Self-Reflection
28:07 Conclusion and Where to Find More

In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker interviews Richard White, the founder of Fathom, an app for Zoom calls that records, transcribes, and highlights conversations. Richard shares insights on the importance of using authentic content both internally and externally to build credibility with customers. He emphasizes the power of authentic customer feedback, the role of early adopters, and the benefits of longer-form content. Richard also discusses his experience with content marketing, the effectiveness of using real-time Zoom clips, and the high ROI of podcast interviews for brand building and tribe building.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Authentic Content Builds Credibility: Richard White emphasizes the importance of using authentic content both internally and externally to establish credibility with customers.
• Customer Feedback is Valuable: Authentic customer feedback plays a crucial role in building trust and shaping the brand’s message.
• Early Adopters Are Key: The role of early adopters is highlighted as crucial for gaining initial traction and credibility.
• Long-Form Content Pays Off: Richard discusses the value of longer-form content in creating deeper connections and providing more meaningful insights.
• Real-Time Zoom Clips for Content Marketing: Using real-time clips from Zoom calls is an effective method for content marketing, offering a personal and engaging way to share insights.
• High ROI of Podcasts: Richard talks about the significant return on investment (ROI) that podcasts can provide, especially for brand and tribe building.

QUOTES

• "What gets me up in the morning is we get a lot of messages every day from people that are really happy that Fathom exists in the world. And that, honestly, that's the currency of filling up my soul cup every day."
• "It's really important to us that people not only like the product, they actually love the product and they like the team behind the product."
• On every podcast I go into, I get two, three, four kind of good connections... It's been a really high ROI for a very small amount of time commitment on my part."
• "We’re in this era where content is gravitating towards this more highly authentic... less polished, less edited five times... people enjoy getting that kind of unvarnished, unfiltered, authentic voice."
• "You show an engineer someone talking about a problem, so much more impactful than just hearing the great final product."
• "Sometimes it's a lot easier to start this tribe-building exercise by tapping into existing audiences."

Connect and learn more about Richard White.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rrwhite/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction
01:09 Meet Richard White: Founder of Fathom
02:06 The Power of Recorded Conversations
04:47 Using Fathom Internally and Externally
07:05 The Journey and Motivation Behind Fathom’
10:24 The Importance of Early Adopters
12:38 Content Creation and Authenticity
15:19 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker speaks with sales expert Walker McKay. They discuss the importance of developing a healthy business relationship with clients rather than seeking friendships. Walker outlines a four-step process commonly experienced in consultative sales, emphasizing the need to set boundaries and manage expectations to avoid free consulting and failed deals. They share personal stories, highlighting the importance of recognizing when a prospect is not the right fit and how to regain control by professionally closing files. Walker also introduces his book, which conveys his sales philosophy of 'Some will, some won't, so what? Who's next?'

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Healthy Business Relationships Over Friendships: Walker McKay emphasizes the importance of developing professional, healthy relationships with clients instead of seeking personal friendships. This approach keeps the business dynamic clear and productive.
• The Four-Step Process in Consultative Sales: Walker outlines a four-step process for consultative sales that helps professionals navigate client interactions. The focus is on managing expectations, setting boundaries, and avoiding offering free consulting.
• Setting Boundaries and Managing Expectations: It’s essential to set clear boundaries with clients to prevent the situation from devolving into unpaid consulting. Managing expectations early in the process helps avoid failed deals.
• Recognizing Bad Fits and Closing Files: Knowing when a prospect isn't the right fit is critical. Walker shares the importance of professionally closing those files and moving on, rather than continuing to pursue non-ideal clients.
• Walker’s Sales Philosophy: He introduces his book and sales philosophy: “Some will, some won’t, so what? Who’s next?” This mindset helps to stay focused and avoid frustration after a failed deal.

QUOTES

• “You can breathe. It's a beautiful moment because you were honest. Honest. You don't have to compromise.”
• “We’ve got to manage people’s expectations. We have to set boundaries and manage expectations about everything…”
• “One of the things that’s very empowering is to recognize at the beginning of your sales call that there should be a decision made at the end about something.”
• “I believe a lot of times trust isn’t earned. I think trust is given and I’m just going to assume people give me trust.”
• “If they trusted you completely, surely they could do that.”
• By selling, using the No BS process that I created, it gets some power back, right, it makes it a whole lot more fun, you’re not victimizing yourself anymore, you're not becoming a victim.”

Connect and learn more about Walker McKay.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/walkermckay/

Timecodes

00:00 Introduction to Creative Potential Podcast
00:34 Understanding Business Relationships
01:10 A Fun Failure Story
02:00 Introducing Walker and His Sales Methodology
04:25 The Four-Step Sales Process
10:49 Building Genuine Business Relationships
19:14 Setting Boundaries and Managing Expectations
24:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts